Station commander appears on robbery charge

The station commander of the Wrenchville police station in Kuruman, Northern Cape, has appeared in the Kuruman Magistrates’ Court on a charge of armed robbery.

Captain Phodiso Phorotlho (42) was arrested while on duty at the police station after a firearm found in the possession of armed robbery suspects, was identified as an official police firearm.

Lieutenant Olebogeng Tawana, Northern Cape police spokesperson, said it was “likely that other charges like defeating the ends of justice, perjury and common robbery will be added as the investigation progresses”.

Her arrest came after community members apprehended four people in connection with an armed robbery in Khankudung, Kuruman.

“Community members who were in the vicinity and witnessed the robbery chased after the suspects on horseback and on foot. They managed to arrest the suspects,” said Tawana.

He said one of the suspects later died in hospital as a results of the injuries sustained after being sjambokked by community members.

Tawana said one of the suspects confessed that they got the firearm from a police officer and they were transported to the scene of crime – a spaza shop in the area – in an official police vehicle.

“He (the suspect) also alleges that it was not the first time they were involved in such an atrocity,” said Tawana.

The case was postponed to January 21 for a bail application and Phorotlho remains in custody.